PROJECT OVERVIEW
The impact of coyotes on white-tailed deer varies across the landscape and is a function of herd characteristics, coyote densities, and habitat variables. Coyotes affect deer through 2 pathways—(1) directly through mortality and (2) indirectly by eliciting behavioral responses to predation risk. Direct and indirect effects of predation can impact deer herd dynamics.

Previous work on The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway found that predator removal increased recruitment in a herd managed under quality deer management guidelines, illustrating the direct impacts of predation. Current research is focused on measuring the indirect effects of predation, including shifts in space use, foraging behavior, and body condition.